6.21.2017

So, in case you don't follow me on Instagram, you haven't heard the exciting news! I wrote and designed this month's Illustrated Faith Devotional Kit!! I have been over the moon excited this whole week, as it just launched online a few days ago! I am still so blown away that it's actually here.

I was going to write out why this is such a huge blessing, but I figured I would share via video! It's not fancy or edited and I recorded it as soon as I got the sample in the mail! So, excuse the poor lighting and sound.

I love you all so much and I can't wait to see how God uses this devotional to speak to each and every one of you!! There is so much that He has in store for y'all. You can purchase yours here, or click the button on the sidebar!

6.14.2017

To be honest, when I "took a break" from blogging, I thought I'd be gone for a couple of weeks or maybe months. I never intended it to be years. That time in my life was filled to the brim with things to do and ultimately I had to make the decision to cut something out of my life - blogging. It was one of the toughest decisions, but one I trusted. Over the last two years I've come back to this space in an attempt to revive that which I had let go of, but I couldn't ever fully commit.

Contrary to what many may believe, running a blog is a lot of work. Or at least if you want it to be successful, it is. So I would begin to type, and then backspace backspace, then type, and after this song and dance, I would exit out of the window and close my laptop and think to myself "maybe some other time".

And so here I am, yet again, trying to do the thing I've failed at so many countless times before. But, I think this time it might stick, because I'm trying to be more intentional - I'm calling this what it is. It's not my comeback. It's not a revival of what once was. It's a starting point. It's a nice to meet you, let's get to know each other. It's a beginning of something that could be special and beautiful.

My blog used to be filled with everything from beauty tips, fashion posts, reviews, life moments, advice, and diys. Which is really what I've struggled with most. I know why many of you are here (I've done the surveys, y'all!), and I don't want to disappoint. But in an effort to please the masses, I think we forget to do what we love. So, in an effort to remember myself, I'm going to choose content based on where I'm at in life.

I'm not feeling the fashion and the beauty, or even the diy. It's all lovely and I appreciate everyone who provides us with fresh inspiration. But I'm craving something deeper. I'm longing for a space that calls something more out of myself; a place for us to meet and talk, and think, and question, and discover. Is that okay? If not, that's quite alright. Know you're always welcome here, but I get that it's not for everyone.

If you've been following me on Instragram during my blogging absence, then you may have noticed a series I started, called #melwritesanote. And I guess that's really the heart of this all. My purpose if you will.

I want to write you notes. I want to write about what I know, what I'm figuring out, and what I have questions about. I want to write about who you are, who you're called to be, and who you're becoming. I want to write about the good stuff, the tough stuff, and the stuff no one else really wants to say. I want to write about the things that reach you where you're at, that speak to your soul, and hit your heart. I want to write to heal, to comfort, to clarify, and to remind you that you're not alone. I want to write.

I've always felt called to write. In fact it was one of the very first things God laid on my heart many many moons ago. And so I think it's finally time.

12.05.2016

Hi sweet friends! I'm so excited that Christmas is just three weeks away! I love this time of year for so many reasons, and one of my most recent favorite traditions is sending out family Christmas cards.

I can't say enough wonderful things about Tiny Prints! We've partnered with them for the last 3 years for sending out our Christmas cards and every year the designs are even prettier than the last! Here's a peek at our Christmas card this year.

I'm especially in love with the new envelopes they offer! Our address was printed on the back which saved me so much time when addressing. Seriously so in love! I'm all about personalizing and I feel like every piece is so perfectly us.

9.03.2016

So we've been in this apartment for about three years now. It's not the biggest space, but it's cozy and we've managed to make it feel like home. We've redecorated and updated a few things over the years, so I wanted to share a peek. There's still a few things we'd like to add, but it's basically a dream come true to me.

One of our newest pieces is this rug. We had the same rug since we moved in, and we got this rug, from Rug Safari Corporation, and it is so perfect for brightening up our space! It is so so soft and Gretchen is definitely a fan.

This space is perfect for cuddling up to watch Neflix, for early morning homework, for reading next to a long dog, for painting on Saturday mornings, and for living life with my sweet little family.

7.19.2016

I've been loving this Summer weather! Most days I spend inside at work, but walking Gretchen at around 8, is thee best! The sun is usually starting to set and the temp is just right. Texas Summers are generally pretty killer, but we're making it through just fine.

6.12.2016

It's been awhile, friends! I have been up to quite a bit, so here's a quick rundown. I am finishing up my Masters in December, and homework has been eating up a lot of my free time. I got promoted! I'm now the Director of Online Admissions at SAGU. I started using Snapchat, and it's definitely a good distraction (pienthesky if you want to follow along). Gretchen is now 4 and she's really into long walks and scrambled eggs, lately. Elisha has run several races, and this year he's planning to trifecta TWICE for the Spartan Race. I visited Salt Lake City, New York, Austin, and San Antonio this year, and we have a big vacation planned for August - more to come! I've been painting... a lot! I've been painting prints, wood slices, and more recently, some abstract canvases - you can check them out in the shop. I honestly never thought it would be such a significant part of my life, but I thoroughly enjoy it. Finally, I have been purging my closet and seeking a more minimal wardrobe, which involves incorporating a new staple piece back into my life; I've started to wear watches! I used to wear a watch every single day until about my freshman year of high school (over ten years ago - whoa I'm feeling old!). I'm not sure why I stopped wearing them, but I have recently fallen back in love! I got this beautiful wood watch from JORD, and I am simply smitten. Like whoa.

I really love the coloring of this one, and I feel like it matches everything I wear perfectly. The Zebrawood is beautiful and I love that it has a luxurious look, and is handcrafted with gorgeous materials. Even the packing is unique and special. If you're looking to add to your collection, or start it, be sure to check out JORD. They also have a really great collection of men's watches which would be perfect for Father's Day, which is right around the corner (that snuck up!). I'm thinking Elisha might need one to match mine.